Cash-register.



No. 667,843. I Patanted Feb. l2,l90l. -C. A; LEE, E. T. BERGER. E. P.ROOT. CASH REGISTER.

(Application filed June 14 1900.) (No Iodol.) 4 Shaata-Sheet l.

No. 667,843. Patented Feb. l2, 19m.

c.. A. LEE, E. T. mans: & E. P. ROOT.

CASH REGISTER.

(Application filed June 141K900.)

(No ,Ipdel.)

4 Shaata-8haof 3.

All-l IIII III'I'I'I'II TNIE nomm virus 00. movuurna. wmmomu. n. c.

Patnted Feb. l2, l90l. C. A. LEE, E. T. DEBGE & E. P. ROOT CASHREGISTER.

(Application filed June 14, 1900.) (No Iodal.)

uh lig i CHARLES A. LEE, OF REPUBLIC CITY,

PATENT OFFICE.

AND ERNEST T. DERGE AND EDWIN P. ROOT, OF LEBANON, KANSAS.

C ASH-REGISTER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 667,843, dated February12, 1901.

Application filed June 14, 1900.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES A. LEE, residing at Republic City, in thecounty of Republic, and ERNEST T. Dance and EDWIN P.

ROOT, residing at Lebanon, in the county of Smith, State of Kansas,citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Cash-Registers; and we do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear,

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to means for recording cash sales, the amount ofeach denomination, whether currency, coin, or gold and silver specie,and a character to indicate the person making the sale. The workingparts are housed, and access is had to the tills and currencyreceptaclesby means of .a door which is normally locked and which when thrown openactuates an impression-lever and a locking mechanism, the latter servingto hold the tills stationary so long as the door is open.

In its organization the register comprises tills, currency receptacles,and recording mechanism for each, together with individual indicatingmeans to determine the amount in each till and receptacle.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means foreffecting the result reference is to be had to the appended descriptionand drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention arenecessarily susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodimentof the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a transverse section of a register embodying the inventionand taken upon an irregular line, so as to indicate the relativedisposition of the cooperating parts. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinalsection, parts being broken away. Fig. 3 is a detail section of theseries of registering-Wheels. Fig. 4 is a detail plan View showing moreparticularly the actuating mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail perspectiveview of the key-operated indicat- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of alug-bars.

Serial No. 20,333. (No model.)

key and the front end portions of the series of indicating-bars actuatedthereby. Fig. 7

is a perspective view of a till,its mountings, the coin-counterbalances,and the adjunctive parts. Fig. 8 is a detail view oftheretaineractuating mechanism. Fig. 9 isadetail view in perspective ofthe retainer.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The casing l for housing the working parts may be of any size or design,according to the style of machine, and is accessible by means of aswinging door 2, which is of curved form in transverse section. The door2 when closed is locked and is adapted to be opened against the tensionof a spring 3, interposed between its top portion and the upperpart oithe cas- 7o ing. A trip 4 is attached to the door and projects inwardtherefrom and is adapted to engage with an impression-lever 5 and a partof a mechanism for turning the roller 6, upon which the strip of paper 7is adapted to be wound. The paper-feedingmechanism may be of anyconstruction, so long as it is adapted to be actuated by the door and toturn the roller 6 every time the door is closed. A ratchet-wheel 8 issecured to the shaft upon which the roller is mounted, and a dog 9 isprovided to cooperate with the teeth of the ratchetewheel to efiect astep-by-step movement of the roller. As shown, the dog 9 has a slidingmovement and is returned to a normal position by means of a spring 10. Afinger 11 is pivotally connected with the outer end of the dog 9 in sucha manner as to per mit the trip 4 to ride thereover when opening thedoor 2 and to stand in the path of said 0 trip when the door is closed,so as to impart a positive movement to the roller 6. A stop 12 isprovided upon the front end of the dog 9 and is engaged by the lower endof the finger 11, whereby the latter is held in a normal 5 position, Thespring 13 for returning the finger 11 to a normal position is of theexpansible type and is interposed between the finger and the dog 9. Thestrip 7, of paper, is adapted to unwind from a roller 14, spaced aproper distance from the roller 6 and parallel therewith. The lower endof the im pression-lever 5 is adapted to strike the strip 7 at a pointintermediate of the rollers 6 and 14, so as to carry said strip againstthe type by means of which the printing is effected.

Theimpression-lever5ispreferablyofarcuate form and is fulcrumedintermediate of its ends to a bracket-support 15, projecting forwardfrom the rear wall of the casing. A spring 16 serves to normally holdthe impression-lever in a predetermined position to be actuated whenopening the door 2, so as to properly effect the recording upon thestrip.

The shaft 17 extends lengthwise of the register and is suitably mountedand is provided with a series of registering-wheels 18, provided upontheir peripheral portions with a series of pins 19 and types 20, thelatter ranging from O to 9, the pins 19 and types 20 being oppositelydisposed and in like number. The registering-wheels 18 are looselymounted upon the shaft 17 and are connected therewith by means ofsprings 21, which are placed under tension when a registering-wheel isforwardly rotated. It is to be understood that each registering-wheel 18will be provided with a spring 21, by means of which it is connectedwith the shaft 17. Each wheel 18 is also provided with a ratchet-wheel22 to cooperate witha pawl 23, by means of which a registering-wheel isheld in the desired position until released by pressure brought to bearupon the projecting end of a part common to the series of pawls 23. Thetypes 20 are positioned so as to be brought opposite the lower end ofthe impression-lever 5, and the wheels 18 are adapted to be turned bythe operator engaging the pins 19. As a wheel 18 is turned forward thepawl 23 engages with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 22 and preventsbackward rotation of the wheel. In the event of two or more of theregistering-wheels being actuated so as to bring the desired type inposition for printing they are simultaneously released by pressure upona convenient portion of a bar 23, connecting the pawls in series, andthe springs 21, regaining themselves, return the registering-wheels to anormal position. A curved plate 24 incloses the wheels 18 and is formedwith a series of slots for the pins 19 to project through. This plateextends upward and rearward, so as to inclose the roller 6 and attendantparts and projects downward a short distance to afford protection to theactuating mechanism of the currency-receptacles.

The number of tills 25 will depend upon the extent and capacity of theregister, it being understood that a till be provided for eachdenominate coin. Inasmuch as the tills are similarly mounted and themechanisms cooperating therewith are duplicates, a single till andcooperating parts are described at length hereinafter for the sake ofsimplicity. The till 25 is of cup shape and is provided with a pendentstem 26. A scale-beam 27 projects horizontally from the stem 26 and ispivotally connected therewith. Arod or bar 28 parallels the beam 27 andis pivotallyconnected with the stem 26. A vertical bar 20 connects therear ends of the parts 27 and 28 and is provided at its upper end with arest. or lifter of fork shape, so as to embrace opposite sides ofastepped cone 31. The parts 26, 27, 28, and 29 are pivotally connectedand maintain a parallel relation, which is essential to prevent thetilting of the till and the lifter 30 and enable these parts to maintaina position parallel to their normal position. A series of weights 32 ofring form are disposed in vertical seriesand supported upon the steps orshoulders of the cone 31, and each weight equals the weight of a singlecoin of adenomination to be counterbalanced thereby. It will thus beunderstood that when a coin is placed in the till 25 the latter willdescend until the lifter 30 comes in contact with a lowermost weight 32and lifts it from the lowest step or shoulder of the cone 31. Upon thedeposition of a second coin in the till 25 the latter will descend adistance, permitting the lifter 30 to carry upward a second weight. Bynumbering the weights the value or number of coins in one of the seriesof tills can be readily determined on reference to the topmost weight,supported by the lifter 30. This will be readily understood when it isremembered that the lifter 30 engages with a weight 32 and carries thesame upward each time a coin is placed in the till. A permanent recordis likewise made by attaching the sector 33 with the scalebeam 27, so asto move therewith, rods or bars 34 connecting the ends of the sectorwith the said scale-beam. This sector is provided with types in regularorder and disposed so as to be brought opposite the lower end of theimpression-lever 5, whereby an imprint thereof may be made upon thestrip 7.

It is proposed to hold the sector 33 and the till connected therewithstationary when the cover 2 is open, and for this purpose a re tainer isprovided and consists of pivoted bars 34, arranged to grip oppositesides of the sector, a spring 35 cooperating with said bar to effect thedesired end. A releasing mechanism cooperates with the retainer toliberate the sector when the door is closed, and, as shown, consists ofa pivoted arm 36, provided at its free end with a wheel 37, having itsperipheral portion of V shape and adapted to pass between the rearportions of the bars 34, so to spread the front ends thereof and movethem away from opposite sides of the sector 33. A lever 38 is pivoted soas to have its upper end extend in the path of the arm 36, and its lowerend is adapted to be operated by a push-bar 39, actuated directly fromthe cover 2 by means of a rod 40, rigidly attached to said cover andmovable therewith, as shown most clearly in Fig. 8. The arm 36 is ofelbow shape, its members being disposed in V form. \Vhen the cover 2 isthrown open, the wheel 37 drops by gravity and permits the spring 35 toact so as to cause the bars 34 to grip opposite sides of the sector andhold the parts stationary. The rod has a pin-and-slot connection at itslower end with the bar 39, and when the cover 2 is thrown open the lowerend of the rod 40 moves forward and carries the bar 39 along with it andmoves the lever 38 so as to throw its upper end rearward and away fromthe arm 36, which turns upon its pivot under the influence of gravityand permits the wheel 37 to fall away from the retainer. When the coveris closed, the parts 40, 39, and 38 move in an opposite direction andlift the arm 36 and force the wheel 37 between the rear ends of the bars34 and cause their front ends to separate and release the sector 33.

In order that the person making the sale may receive credit therefor,the cash-register is provided with mechanism for indicating the salesmanand the amount of sales. The mechanism for effecting this result isactuated by means of a key 41, by means of which the door 2 is unlocked,said key having a point 42, which is difierently positioned upon thestems of the several keys, so as to engage with the partindicatingthenumber by means of which the salesman is designated. A series of bars 43are arranged in parallel relation and are slidably mounted, and theirrear ends are provided with type characters to designate the salesman,whereas their front ends are provided with curved bars 44, which areadapted to be engaged by the points 42 of the keys. Each key isconstructed to operate its one indicating-bar and no other of theseries, and since each salesman is provided with a key the person makingthe sale and the amount thereof are recorded. It is to be understoodthat a plurality of keys are provided for each register, and in additionto the usual wards and other safety devices the points 42 are resortedto for actuating the type-bars to admit of crediting the sales to theclerk or party consummating the same. Each key is numbered or letteredand corresponds with the character on the type-bar actuated thereby. Thepoints 42 of the different keys are located at varying distances fromthe shanks of the keys and are designed to come in contact with thecurved bars 44 and press them and the type-bars inward, so as to projectthe type to be struck by the impression-lever. The currency-receptacles45 are provided with a plurality of leaves 46, pivoted thereto andprovided with tailpieces 47, which are adapted to cooperate with a wheelor drum 48, having parallel grooves for the tailpieces 47 to travel in,whereby a rotary movement is imparted to said drum when the leaves areturned by hand from a vertical to a horizontal position, and vice versa.The shaft 49, carrying the drum 48,

is connected by miter-gearing 50 with a horizontal shaft 49, which inturn drives a yertical shaft 51, provided at its upper end with abevel-pinion 52, meshing with corresponding cog-gearing 53 of arecording-wheel 54. It will thus be seen that as each leaf 46 is turnedfrom a vertical to a horizontal position after the bill of denominatevalue has been placed in the receptacle the drum or grooved wheel 48isactuated and through the connections imparts a corresponding movementtothe recording-wheel 54, whereby the type thereon is brought intoposition for recording the amount on the strip 7 when the cover 2 isthrown open in the manner stated. The leaves 46 are numbered. Hence theamount in. any receptacle can be quickly determined at a glance, sinceeach leaf corresponds to a bill covered thereby.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Inacash-register provided with a swinging door, a recording mechanismincluding an impression-lever, and a trip attached to the saiddoor andmovable therewith and adapted to come in contact with theimpression-1ever and eifect the recording, substantially as set forth.

2. In a cash-register provided with a swinging door, a recordingmechanism, astrip upon which the record is made, a roller for the saidstrip to wind upon, an impression-lever, a dog to effect a winding ofthe aforesaid strip upon the roller, and a trip carried by theaforementioned door and adapted to actuate the impression-lever whenopening the door and to operate the said dog upon closing the door,substantially as specified.

3. In a cash-register, and in combination with a pivotallymounted till,a series of weights spaced apart and disposed in vertical relation, eachequal to the weight of the coin to be counterbalanced thereby, and alifter operatively connected with the till and adapted to come incontact with the weightsin successive order according as the coins aredeposited-in the till to counterbalance the same, substantially as setforth.-

4. In a cash-register, and in combination with a pivotally-mounted till,a conical support, a series of weights disposed in vertical relation andspaced apart and positioned upon the said conical support, the weightsbeing equal to the weight of the coin to be counterbalanced thereby, andalifter operatively connected with the till and adapted to engage withthe said weights in successive order, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

' 5. In a cash-register, and in combination with a pivotally-supportedtill and a series of weights disposed in vertical relation and spacedapart, a sector connected with the till so as to move therewith andprovided with types, and means for taking an impression from the typesof the sector when brought into proper position,substantially as setforth.

extensions, and a key havinga point to bear against the curved extensionof one of the bars, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof we atlix our signar5 tures in presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES A. LEE. [n 8.] ERNEST T. DERGE. L. s] EDWIN P. ROOT. L. S.

Witnesses:

E. A. KRETSOHMER, J AS. R. NICHOLS.

